Written by Harold Begbie and J. Stafford Ransome under the pseudonym of Caroline Lewis. This reversal of Lewis Carroll’s name is pleasing to me, as his pseudonym was originally chosen by taking Dodgson’s first names (Charles Lutwidge), reversing and ‘latinising’ them to Ludovicus Carolus,and then re-Englishising them again.

As with the first book, the illustrations are credited to S.R., and I believe they were the work of the J. Stafford Ransome part of the partnership, and again they echo the Tenniels, but look like genuine political caricatures. Clara herself is Balfour.

Clara in Blunderland by Caroline Lewis. Published by William Heinemann, 1902.

Fifth and seventh impressions. Cloth hardback, 12mo.

I have two copies of this, and have managed to read neither. I know it was written by Harold Begbie and J. Stafford Ransome (together under the pseudonym of Caroline Lewis) as a satire on British involvement in the Boer war, especially at the failure of the government to resolve the conflict, but as I know very little about the war, the parody passes way over my head.

The illustrations are credited to S.R., and I believe they were the work of the J. Stafford Ransome part of the partnership. They echo the Tenniels, but look like political caricatures: again, my lack of historical knowledge lets me down: I don’t know who they are. Any suggestions welcome- might Clara be Balfour??